| Though Curacao is one of the Caribbean's best resort | | | | At the end of the 19th century, Curacao's own |
| destinations, some people are more familiar with the | | | | Senior family began producing the liqueur using a |
| orange-flavored liqueur that shares the island's name. | | | | custom copper still that remains in use today. Using |
| The popular liqueur, often seen in its bright blue | | | | the dried peels of the Laraha and a secret recipe of |
| variety and used in cocktails, is a product of | | | | spices, the Senior family created what is still known |
| Curacao's unique climate and geography. As the | | | | as the world's only "authentic" Curacao liqueur. |
| Laraha oranges used in Curacao liqueur are the result | | | | Though many varieties of the spirit are made |
| of an agricultural mishap and only found on this | | | | throughout the world, the "Curacao of Curacao" |
| Caribbean island, the mixture's odd history provides | | | | brand remains the only version produced in Curacao |
| tourists an eye-opening opportunity off the beaten | | | | with local Laraha orange peels, rather than synthetic |
| path. Today, the "Curacao of Curacao" brand | | | | ingredients. Due to the worldwide popularity of |
| produces the world's only "authentic" Curacao liqueur | | | | Curacao liqueur, the island now has a number of |
| from its historic colonial factory just outside | | | | dedicated Laraha plantations, many of which supply |
| Willemstad. The factory, housed within the Landhuis | | | | their fruit directly to the "Curacao of Curacao" label. |
| Chobolobo, also opens its doors every weekday to | | | | The "Curacao of Curacao" Distillery can be found in |
| anyone hoping to learn the fascinating tale of the | | | | one of the island's most attractive historic mansions, |
| island's most famous export. | | | | the Landhuis Chobolobo, located just east of central |
| The island of Curacao was discovered by the Spanish | | | | Willemstad in the Salina region. Constructed in the |
| in 1499 and settled in the following years. As the | | | | early 1800s, Landhuis Chobolobo served many uses |
| Spanish expanded their interests in Curacao, they | | | | over the years, including home to Curacao's most |
| attempted to cultivate some of their own crops to | | | | popular club in the 1940s. "Curacao of Curacao" has |
| support the colony. Amongst the foods the | | | | been making the world-famous liqueur on site since |
| colonizers attempted to grow in Curacao was the | | | | 1962. In addition to the world-famous blue Curacao |
| Valencia orange, a juicy variety that is still enjoyed | | | | liqueur (the liqueur is naturally clear, but distinguishing |
| widely today. However, when the oranges were | | | | colors are added after distillation), the factory also |
| harvested, the Spanish found that the island's soil and | | | | produces three additional colors of Curacao as well as |
| climate transformed the tangy fruit into bitter, | | | | coffee, chocolate and rum raisin-flavored spirits. |
| inedible produce. The orange crops were immediately | | | | When visiting the factory, visitors will be able to tour |
| abandoned, but the bitter variety continued to | | | | the historic building, learn about the distilling process |
| spread and grow throughout the island. Later in | | | | and, of course, sample the products. The "Curacao |
| colonial history, residents of Curacao came to realize | | | | of Curacao" Distillery is open each weekday from 8 |
| that the unwanted peels of these bitter oranges - | | | | AM to 12 PM and again from 1 PM to 5 PM. Many |
| now known as the Laraha orange - exuded a | | | | organized tours visit the factory and provide |
| pleasing, perfume-like fragrance after drying in the | | | | walkthroughs of the facility, while the permanent |
| sun. For many years, locals and European visitors | | | | exhibits allow self-guided tourists to explore the |
| experimented with the oil found in the sun-dried | | | | factory at their own speed. Best of all, entrance to |
| orange peels, eventually yielding the recipe for | | | | the factory is free, making this signature destination |
| Curacao liqueur. | | | | a must-see for any day of sightseeing in Curacao. |